Wilton native produces Broadway's 'Lombardi'

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, December 2, 2010

WILTON -- Broadway producer Fran Kirsmer, a Manhattan resident who grew up in Wilton, said her formative years in Wilton and her profound passion for dance helped her get to where she is today.

"Dance is such a great base for anything you want to do," said Kirsmer. "You need extreme discipline and passion for it. The community I grew up in was a great place for me to explore my passion for dance and helped me grow as an individual."

Kirsmer studied ballet, jazz, tap and musical theater since she was a little girl. In 1995, Kirsmer crushed a bone in her foot and was unable to dance. She didn't want to leave the arts completely, so she decided to pursue a career behind the curtain.

"After I was injured, I started to work on the other side of the stage," said Kirsmer. "I realized that I really liked producing plays and had a real passion for it. I started in small theaters and moved my way up."

In 2009, Kirsmer produced her first Broadway musical, "Hair," which won the 2009 Tony award for best musical revival.

Today, Kirsmer is producing several Broadway plays, and is one of the lead producers for the new Broadway play "Lombardi." The play is based on the life of the late Vince Lombardi, who coached the National Football League's Green Bay Packers in the 1960s and whose name graces the Super Bowl trophy.

Growing up in an Italian-American household that loved sports, Lombardi is a national icon for Kirsmer.

"Lombardi was like the American dream," said Kirsmer. "I was always connected to sports because I danced and my brother played football, soccer and lacrosse. So I became attached to the sport experience. Doing a play like this was amazing for me."

Kirsmer, who co-produces "Lombardi" with Tony Ponturo, said the play is based on the David Maraniss book "When Pride Still Mattered- A Life of Vince Lombardi." she said she met Ponturo when she was working on the musical "Hair," and they both happened to be reading the same book.

"We both loved the book 'When Pride Still Mattered' and had the same idea -- that we should bring people to the theater to see a play based on the book," said Kirsmer. "We acquired the rights to the book and eventually came up with the play 'Lombardi.'"

Kirsmer said she hopes people feel inspired after watching the play.

"Lombardi was a very funny character, but also a very inspiring one," she said. "I hope that people leave the theater inspired to be the best that they can be at whatever they want to be."

Looking back at her childhood experiences, Kirsmer said she realizes that nothing beats the value of hard work.

"I think that studying dance and living in the area of Wilton has really made me strive for excellence at everything I do," she said. "Putting my nose to the grindstone and working hard have been the foundations I have grown up on. I believe that has translated as I grew up. I hope that other people look at my work and strive for excellence for themselves."